Thursday, February 11, 2010

For the heckuva it, we'll post this early Top 25 from Mark Schlabach of ESPN. Bama is at the top, despite the need of virtually an entire new defense. The next SEC school, Florida, only rounds out the Top 10.

Arkansas and Georgia seem a little high to me; the Gators and LSU, assuming they get better quarterback play, a little low.

In short, not a smashing endorsement of the world's best football conference for the 2010 season. Let's just see what happens when the games start.

Bama does need 9 starters on defense but there is plenty of talent that has seen some playing time already. Plus we are getting Hightower back and Saban is as good as there is in developing players. It may take a few games but the defense will be fine and the offense will be better.

Anon 8:30 - We already know Gene can coach, or at least how to surround himself with good assistants. We went 8-5 with a 1/1 bowl win with essentially the same team that went 5-7 the year before. Expectations will be quite high - 10 wins and a major bowl win will probably be expected. They absolutely should be one of the top 25 to start the season.

Ar-Kansas?????? Are you freaking kidding me? Petrino is a fantastic recruiter and a horrible game-day coach. No way are they top 25. I am so looking forward to them coming to get the butt-kicking due them down on the plains this year.

Hey J. You don't think Arkansas should be ranked but Aubarn should? Are you fricking kidding yourself? Arkansas is returning the majority of its starters. The same team that STOMPED Aubarn's butt last year.

Are you having memory problems? The Aubarn Arkie game wasn't even close. BTW Arkansas also won the same number of games as Aubarn did last year.

I look forward to seeing Arkie kick Aubarn's butt for the 3rd straight year. Yes, I will be at the game. WPS

No, anon 10:24, I don't have memory problems. I remember Ar-Kansas blowing Auburn out last year. And the only reason they matched Auburn's win total is because Les Miles completely forgot how to tell time in the Pigs-Bengals game.

The Pigs recruiting class is incredibly average, and although Petrino knows how to gameplan, you can only go so far with average athletes. The Pigs will finish 5th in the SEC West, ahead of only the bumbling Houston Nutt and his even less impressive roster of players.

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Michael Gordon

Allegiance: Alabama
Favorite player: Johnny Musso . . . The Italian Stallion -- Sylvester Stallone is a plagiarist -- played more often in torn garb than the Incredible Hulk. (Musso was also a better blocker.)

Possibly disturbing fact: Trash-talked the infant son of Auburn friends after the kid projectile vomited in my living room the instant after an Alabama touchdown.

Possibly disturbing fact: Have an original 45 of “The Ballad of Archie Who” on the wall at home, right by the “Drink Barq’s – It’s Good” sign.

Courtney St. Onge

Allegiance: Auburn

Favorite player: Bo

Possibly disturbing fact: Had picture taken with Terry Bowden at a meet-and-greet following his undefeated season. Just for fun, I mailed it to him later, autographed by my uncle and me. Who knew he would actually need the "Good luck in your endeavors!"?

Other fact: It was my infant son that Michael Gordon trash-talked. Just so you know.

Possibly disturbing fact: Once thought it would be funny to teach my toddler to say "Roll Tide!" We practiced covertly. Then, one day, my wife the Auburn grad walked in. "Roll Tide!" my son said, perfectly. Turned out to be more funny in the conceptual stage.

Tommy Tomlinson

Allegiance: Georgia

Favorite player: The immortal Herschel Walker, who, by the way, is immortal

Possibly disturbing fact: Slept in car one Georgia-Florida weekend after last-minute decision to go to game. Sneaked into Jacksonville University dorms for showers. Thanks for lax security, Jax!